Prof. LS Shashidhara, a developmental biologist and geneticist in IISER-Pune, was invited to Bhopal by Eklavya for delivering a public science talk on May 13, 2017. The speech, titled as ‘What can a fruit fly tell us about what we are?’ centred on his extensive research work on the common fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This was actually the first such address in a lecture series started by Eklavya in the memory of one of our oldest and dearest friends, the renowned science journalist Rex D’Rozario, who passed away in January, 2017. Prof. Shashidhara came to Eklavya on the morning of May 13 and interacted with around 30 children from several schools and NGOs in the city. While responding to the countless questions put forward by the children, the scientist and science populariser also left for them new topics to mull over in the future. During the main event that evening in the Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium of NITTTR Bhopal, one of Rex’s last editorial responsibilities, Eklavya’s high school science module The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter, was unveiled by his wife, the veteran educationist Alethea.

Children in the interaction session with Prof. Shashidhara on May 13th morning
Children in the interaction session with Prof. Shashidhara on May 13th morning

Children from various schools and organisations in Bhopal like Muskaan, SOS Children’s Village and Eka, and members of those organisations interacted with Prof. Shashidhara in Eklavya’s office on the morning of the 13th.

Children from various schools and organisations in Bhopal like Muskaan, SOS Children’s Village and Eka, and members of those organisations interacted with Prof. Shashidhara in Eklavya’s office on the morning of the 13th.
Prof. Shashidhara answering questions from children during their interaction
Prof. Shashidhara answering questions from children during their interaction

Around 30 children from various schools and NGOs in Bhopal participated in a meeting with Prof. Shashidhara on May 13th, where the scientist helped them find answers to many of their science-related queries.

Around 30 children from various schools and NGOs in Bhopal participated in a meeting with Prof. Shashidhara on May 13th, where the scientist helped them find answers to many of their science-related queries.
Prof. Shashidhara responding to children during their meeting
Prof. Shashidhara responding to children during their meeting

Along with replying to questions in the interaction session, Prof. Shashidhara raised new issues for the children to think about in the future.

Along with replying to questions in the interaction session, Prof. Shashidhara raised new issues for the children to think about in the future.
Eklavya’s books on display in NITTTR Bhopal during Prof. Shashidhara’s public lecture
Eklavya’s books on display in NITTTR Bhopal during Prof. Shashidhara’s public lecture

Eklavya’s titles were put on display in the Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium of NITTTR Bhopal throughout Prof. Shashidhara’s public lecture in the evening of May 13th

Eklavya’s titles were put on display in the Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium of NITTTR Bhopal throughout Prof. Shashidhara’s public lecture in the evening of May 13th
Audience in Eklavya’s public science lecture on May 13, 2017, in the memory of Rex D’Rozario
Audience in Eklavya’s public science lecture on May 13, 2017, in the memory of Rex D’Rozario

People taking part in the first talk of the public science lecture series instituted by Eklavya in the memory of our old friend Rex D’Rozario, including Prof. LS Shashidhara from IISER-Pune (front row in right corner), the main speaker for that evening.

People taking part in the first talk of the public science lecture series instituted by Eklavya in the memory of our old friend Rex D’Rozario, including Prof. LS Shashidhara from IISER-Pune (front row in right corner), the main speaker for that evening.
Eklavya’s CN Subramaniam remembering Rex D’Rozario in the event on May 13, 2017
Eklavya’s CN Subramaniam remembering Rex D’Rozario in the event on May 13, 2017

CN Subramaniam, or Subbu as we fondly know him, lovingly recollected the impact left by Eklavya’s old friend, the late Rex D’Rozario, when it came to creating space for children in mainstream literature and science popularisation, and in the process of institution-building. 

CN Subramaniam, or Subbu as we fondly know him, lovingly recollected the impact left by Eklavya’s old friend, the late Rex D’Rozario, when it came to creating space for children in mainstream literature and science popularisation, and in the process of institution-building. 
Alethea and Eklavya’s Vinatha Viswanathan unveiling Eklavya’s title The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter
Alethea and Eklavya’s Vinatha Viswanathan unveiling Eklavya’s title The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter

One of Rex’s last editorial contributions, Eklavya’s high school science module The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter, was launched by his wife Alethea in the May 13th event arranged by Eklavya in NITTTR, Bhopal.

One of Rex’s last editorial contributions, Eklavya’s high school science module The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter, was launched by his wife Alethea in the May 13th event arranged by Eklavya in NITTTR, Bhopal.
Eklavya’s title The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter being launched in Bhopal
Eklavya’s title The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter being launched in Bhopal

(From right to left) Alethea, Eklavya’s Vinatha Viswanathan, Prof. LS Shashidhara and Eklavya’s CN Subramaniam during the unveiling of Eklavya’s high school science module The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter, which was one of Rex D’Rozario’s last editorial works.

(From right to left) Alethea, Eklavya’s Vinatha Viswanathan, Prof. LS Shashidhara and Eklavya’s CN Subramaniam during the unveiling of Eklavya’s high school science module The Story of Atomic Theory of Matter, which was one of Rex D’Rozario’s last editorial works.
Eklavya’s Vinatha Viswanathan introducing Prof. Shashidhara for the audience
Eklavya’s Vinatha Viswanathan introducing Prof. Shashidhara for the audience

Vinatha Viswanathan from Eklavya briefly introduced the developmental biologist and geneticist Prof. LS Shahsidhara (IISER-Pune) and his research work, before the beginning of his public lecture on the evening of May 13, 2017, in Bhopal.

Vinatha Viswanathan from Eklavya briefly introduced the developmental biologist and geneticist Prof. LS Shahsidhara (IISER-Pune) and his research work, before the beginning of his public lecture on the evening of May 13, 2017, in Bhopal.
Prof. Shashidhara talking about his research work on the common fruit fly
Prof. Shashidhara talking about his research work on the common fruit fly

In the first talk of the public science lecture series started by Eklavya in the memory of Rex D’Rozario, Prof. LS Shashidhara explained the various implications of his ongoing research work using the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, for us human beings.

In the first talk of the public science lecture series started by Eklavya in the memory of Rex D’Rozario, Prof. LS Shashidhara explained the various implications of his ongoing research work using the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, for us human beings.
Prof. LS Shashidhara elucidating some of the research works on Drosophila melanogaster
Prof. LS Shashidhara elucidating some of the research works on Drosophila melanogaster

Prof. Shashidhara from IISER-Pune put in a nutshell the decades-long research work being carried on the common fruit fly by scientists all around the world, in his public lecture on May 13, 2017, organised by Eklavya in Bhopal.

Prof. Shashidhara from IISER-Pune put in a nutshell the decades-long research work being carried on the common fruit fly by scientists all around the world, in his public lecture on May 13, 2017, organised by Eklavya in Bhopal.
Prof. Shashidhara addressing the audience in his public lecture in Bhopal
Prof. Shashidhara addressing the audience in his public lecture in Bhopal

The far-reaching influence of biological evolution was one of the central themes of Prof. Shashidhara’s speech during the first talk in the public science lecture series began in the memory of veteran science journalist Rex D’Rozario. 

The far-reaching influence of biological evolution was one of the central themes of Prof. Shashidhara’s speech during the first talk in the public science lecture series began in the memory of veteran science journalist Rex D’Rozario. 
(From right to left) Alethea, Tultul Biswas and Anu Gupta listening to Prof. Shashidhara
(From right to left) Alethea, Tultul Biswas and Anu Gupta listening to Prof. Shashidhara

Alethea, veteran educationist and wife of the late Rex D’Rozario, one of Eklavya’s founding figures, and Eklavya’s Tultul Biswas and Anu Gupta listening to Prof. Shashidhara’ public lecture in Bhopal on May 13th.

Alethea, veteran educationist and wife of the late Rex D’Rozario, one of Eklavya’s founding figures, and Eklavya’s Tultul Biswas and Anu Gupta listening to Prof. Shashidhara’ public lecture in Bhopal on May 13th.
 
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